Low power passive RFID transponder frontend design for implantable biosensor applications

This paper presents a passive 13.56 MHz RFID transponder frontend design using 0.18 μm CMOS Technology for implantable biosensor applications. Power is provided to the system through a dual output full wave rectifier that provides power at two different voltage levels; the low level to the transponder frontend to reduce its power consumption and the high level to the biosensor to increase its dynamic range. The low voltage operation of the frontend is supplemented further by a current starved design reducing its power consumption to a minimal and leaving most available power to the biosensor. The design is verified using HSPICE Simulation showing a maximum frontend power consumption of only 6.5 μW and leaving at least 88% of the available power for the biosensor's operation.